U.S. patent application number 13/006516 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-31 for series-connected motor unit and a fan utilizing the same.
Invention is credited to Cheng-Te Liu, Zhe-Hao Wu.
Application Number | 20120134856 13/006516 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46092715 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120134856 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu; Zhe-Hao ; et
al. |
May 31, 2012 |
Series-Connected Motor Unit and a Fan utilizing the same
Abstract
A series-connected motor unit includes a first motor, a second
motor and a separation member. The first motor has a first circuit
board and the second motor has a second circuit board. The
separation member has a first face and a second face opposite to
the first face, wherein the first face abuts against the first
circuit board and the second face abuts against the second circuit
board.
Inventors: |
Wu; Zhe-Hao; (Lingya Dist.,
TW) ; Liu; Cheng-Te; (Lingya Dist., TW) |
Family ID: |
46092715 |
Appl. No.: |
13/006516 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
417/350 ;
310/68D |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02K 7/14 20130101; F04D
19/002 20130101; H02K 16/00 20130101; F04D 29/601 20130101; H02K
5/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/350 ;
310/68.D |
International
Class: |
F04B 17/03 20060101
F04B017/03; H02K 16/00 20060101 H02K016/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 29, 2010 |
TW |
099141242 |
Claims
1. A series-connected motor unit, comprising: a first motor having
a first circuit board; a second motor having a second circuit
board; and a separation member having a first face and a second
face opposite to the first face, wherein the first face abuts
against the first circuit board and the second face abuts against
the second circuit board.
2. The series-connected motor unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the separation member is made of resilient insulation material.
3. The series-connected motor unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the first motor has a first housing, a first stator and a first
rotor, the first housing has a first compartment and a first
assembling hole, the first stator is disposed in the first
compartment, the first rotor is rotatably disposed in the first
compartment, the first circuit board is disposed at a location
adjacent to the first assembling hole in the first compartment, the
second motor has a second housing, a second stator and a second
rotor, the second housing has a second compartment and a second
assembling hole, the second stator is disposed in the second
compartment, the second rotor is rotatably disposed in the second
compartment, the second circuit board is disposed at a location
adjacent to the second assembling hole in the second
compartment.
4. The series-connected motor unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein
the first assembling hole is aligned with the second assembling
hole.
5. The series-connected motor unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein
the first housing has a first coupling portion and the second
housing has a second coupling portion coupled with the first
coupling portion.
6. The series-connected motor unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein
the first coupling portion is in the form of a ring surrounding and
encasing a portion of the first housing adjacent to the first
assembling hole, the second coupling portion is in the form of a
ring surrounding and encasing a portion of the second housing
adjacent to the second assembling hole, the first coupling portion
has an outer circumferential edge, the second coupling portion has
an inner circumferential edge coupled with the outer
circumferential edge.
7. A fan having a series-connected motor unit, comprising: two
frames, each having an airway; a series-connected motor unit having
a first motor, a second motor and a separation member, wherein the
first and second motors are respectively disposed in the two
airways of the two frames, the first motor has a first circuit
board, the second motor has a second circuit board, the separation
member has a first face and a second face opposite to the first
face, the first face abuts against the first circuit board and the
second face abuts against the second circuit board; and two
rotation members respectively disposed in the two airways of the
two frames, wherein the first and second motors respectively drive
the two rotation members to rotate, and each of the two rotation
members has a plurality of vanes on an outer circumferential face
thereof.
8. The fan having the series-connected motor unit as claimed in
claim 7, wherein the separation member is made of resilient
insulation material.
9. The fan having the series-connected motor unit as claimed in
claim 7, wherein the first motor has a first housing, a first
stator and a first rotor, the first housing has a first
compartment, a first axial hole and a first assembling hole, the
first stator is disposed in the first compartment, the first rotor
is rotatably disposed in the first compartment and has a first
shaft extending out of the first axial hole, the first circuit
board is disposed at a location adjacent to the first assembling
hole in the first compartment, the second motor has a second
housing, a second stator and a second rotor, the second housing has
a second compartment, a second axial hole and a second assembling
hole, the second stator is disposed in the second compartment, the
second rotor is rotatably disposed in the second compartment and
has a second shaft extending out of the second axial hole, the
second circuit board is disposed at a location adjacent to the
second assembling hole in the second compartment.
10. The fan having the series-connected motor unit as claimed in
claim 9, wherein the two rotation members are coupled with the
first and second shafts, respectively.
11. The fan having the series-connected motor unit as claimed in
claim 9, wherein the first assembling hole is aligned with the
second assembling hole.
12. The fan having the series-connected motor unit as claimed in
claim 9, wherein the first housing has a first coupling portion,
the second housing has a second coupling portion, and a plurality
of ribs connects the first coupling portion to an inner
circumferential wall of one of the two frames, and connects the
second coupling portion to an inner circumferential wall of the
other of the two frames.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a
series-connected motor unit and a fan utilizing the
series-connected motor unit and, more particularly, to a
series-connected motor unit that provides a better vibration-proof
effect by preventing the motor vibration from traveling between
motors of the series-connected motor unit, and a fan utilizing the
series-connected motor unit.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Taiwanese Patent Number 1322655 entitled "circuit board
holder, dual motor apparatus and dual fan structure" discloses a
conventional series-connected motor unit as shown in FIG. 1. The
series-connected motor unit includes two cooling fans 8 and a
circuit board holder 9. Both the cooling fans 8 have a motor 81, a
circuit board 82 and a plurality of vanes 83. The circuit board 82
can start operation of the motor 81 which, in turn, drives the
vanes 83 to rotate. The circuit board holder 9 is disposed between
the two cooling fans 8. The circuit board holder 9 consists of a
plate 91 and a plurality of supporting members 92. The plate 91 has
two faces 911 opposite to each other. The supporting members 92 are
disposed on the plate 91 and protrude from the two faces 911. In
this arrangement, the supporting members 92 are sandwiched between
and abutted by the two circuit boards 82 when the two cooling fans
8 are assembled in series.
[0005] Since the circuit board holder 9 is disposed between the two
cooling fans 8, a distance D is present between the two circuit
boards 82. However, since the circuit board holder 9 abuts against
the two circuit boards 82 only through the supporting members 92,
the contact areas between the supporting members 92 and the two
circuit boards 82 are very small. Thus, the supporting members 92
can only support and position the two circuit boards 82 in proper
positions rather than prevent or relieve the motor vibration that
travels between the two circuit boards 82. As a result, the motor
vibration generated during operation of the two motors 81 will
travel between the two motors 81. This not only affects the
operation of the two cooling fans 8 but also shortens the service
life of the two motors 81.
[0006] Furthermore, the manufacturing of the circuit board holder 9
requires high sophistication. Specifically, the height H of the
supporting members 92 protruding from the two faces 911 should be
controlled in high accuracy in order to position the two circuit
boards 82 in proper positions.
[0007] Specifically, if the height H is too small, gaps may be
present between the circuit board holder 9 and the two circuit
boards 82, leading to loosening between the circuit board holder 9
and the two circuit boards 82. On the contrary, if the height H is
too large, the circuit board holder 9 may over-press the two
circuit boards 82, leading to damages of the two circuit boards
82.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is therefore the primary objective of this invention to
provide a series-connected motor unit and a fan utilizing the
series-connected motor unit, in which the motor vibration is
prevented from traveling between motors of the series-connected
motor unit for a better vibration-proof effect.
[0009] It is another objective of this invention to provide a
series-connected motor unit and a fan utilizing the
series-connected motor unit, wherein series-connected motor unit
includes a separation member which does not require high
sophistication during manufacturing process thereof, thereby
enabling an easy manufacturing.
[0010] The invention discloses a series-connected motor unit
including a first motor, a second motor and a separation member.
The first motor has a first circuit board and the second motor has
a second circuit board. The separation member has a first face and
a second face opposite to the first face, wherein the first face
abuts against the first circuit board and the second face abuts
against the second circuit board.
[0011] Furthermore, the invention discloses a fan having a
series-connected motor unit, which includes two frames, a
series-connected motor unit and two rotation members. Each frame
has an airway. The series-connected motor unit has a first motor, a
second motor and a separation member. The first and second motors
are respectively disposed in the two airways of the two frames. The
first motor has a first circuit board and the second motor has a
second circuit board. The separation member has a first face and a
second face opposite to the first face, wherein the first face
abuts against the first circuit board and the second face abuts
against the second circuit board. The two rotation members are
respectively disposed in the two airways of the two frames. The
first and second motors drive the two rotation members to rotate,
respectively. Each of the two rotation members has a plurality of
vanes on an outer circumferential face thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are
not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a conventional series-connected motor unit
disclosed by a Taiwanese Patent Number 1322655 entitled "circuit
board holder, dual motor apparatus and dual fan structure".
[0014] FIG. 2 shows an exploded diagram of a series-connected motor
unit according to a first embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of the
series-connected motor unit before assembly, according to the first
embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 shows a side cross-sectional view of the
series-connected motor unit after assembly, according to the first
embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 shows a side cross-sectional view of a
series-connected motor unit before assembly, according to a second
embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 shows a side cross-sectional view of the
series-connected motor unit after assembly, according to the second
embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 shows a side cross-sectional view of a fan utilizing
the series-connected motor of the second embodiment of the
invention.
[0020] In the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals
designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the term
"first", "second", "third", "fourth", "inner", "outer" "top",
"bottom" and similar terms are used hereinafter, it should be
understood that these terms refer only to the structure shown in
the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings,
and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a series-connected motor unit
including a first motor 1, a second motor 2 and a separation member
3 is shown according to a first embodiment of the invention. The
first motor 1 and second motor 2 can be assembled together. The
separation member 3 is disposed between the first motor 1 and
second motor 2 to prevent the motor vibration generated during
operation of the first motor 1 and second motor 2 from traveling
between the first motor 1 and second motor 2 for a better
vibration-proof effect.
[0022] The first motor 1 includes a first housing 11, a first
stator 12, a first rotor 13 and a first circuit board 14. The first
housing 11 is hollow and has a first compartment 111, a first axial
hole 112 and a first assembling opening 113.
[0023] The first stator 12 may be a coil unit disposed in the first
compartment 111.
[0024] The first rotor 13 is rotatably disposed in the first
compartment 111 and has a first shaft 131 and a first permanent
magnet 132. The first permanent magnet 132 is fixed at the first
shaft 131 and opposing to the coil unit of the first stator 12. The
first shaft 131 has one end extending out of the first housing 11
via the first axial hole 112 for coupling with a rotation
member.
[0025] The first circuit board 14 is a printed circuit board (PCB)
and has a plurality of electronic components such as driving
circuits, transistors or passive components. The first circuit
board 14 is disposed at a location adjacent to the first assembling
opening 113 in the first compartment 111. The first circuit board
14 is electrically connected to the coil unit of the first stator
12. In this arrangement, the first circuit board 14 may drive the
first rotor 13 to rotate.
[0026] The second motor 2 has similar structures and components as
the first motor 1, such as a second housing 21, a second
compartment 211, a second axial hole 212, a second assembling
opening 213, a second stator 22, a second rotor 23, a second shaft
231, a second permanent magnet 232 and a second circuit board 24.
The structures and components of the second motor 2 are coupled
together in the same way as the first motor 1, so they are not
described herein again.
[0027] The separation member 3 is made of resilient insulation
material, such as rubber, Styrofoam, acrylic resin, silica gel or
other silica gel compounded materials. The separation member 3 is
preferably a thick slice having a thickness T, and has a first face
31 and a second face 32 opposite to the first face 31.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first assembling opening 113
of the first motor 1 is aligned with the second assembling opening
213 of the second motor 2 during assembly of the series-connected
motor unit. The first housing 11 of the first motor 1 can be
coupled with the second housing 21 of the second motor 2 by ways of
adhesion, clipping or screwing. The separation member 3 is disposed
between the first circuit board 14 and the second circuit board 24,
with the first face 31 of the separation member 3 abutting against
the first circuit board 14 and the second face 32 of the separation
member 3 abutting against the second circuit board 24.
[0029] Furthermore, the first housing 11 of the first motor 1 may
have a first coupling portion 114 and the second housing 21 of the
second motor 2 may have a second coupling portion 214. The coupling
portions 114 and 214 may be coupled together by ways of adhesion,
clipping or screwing. In this embodiment, the first coupling
portion 114 is in the form of a ring surrounding and encasing a
portion of the first housing 11 adjacent to the first assembling
opening 113. Similarly, the second coupling portion 214 is in the
form of a ring surrounding and encasing a portion of the second
housing 21 adjacent to the second assembling opening 213. The first
coupling portion 114 has an outer circumferential edge 115, whereas
the second coupling portion 214 has an inner circumferential edge
215. By coupling the outer circumferential edge 115 with the inner
circumferential edge 215, the housings 11 and 12 can be coupled
together via the coupling portions 114 and 214.
[0030] Since the separation member 3 has larger contact areas with
the first circuit board 14 and the second circuit board 24 via the
first face 31 and second face 32, the separation member 3 not only
can separate the first circuit board 14 from the second circuit
board 24 to prevent undesired electrical connection therebetween,
but also can block and relieve the motor vibration that travels
between the first circuit board 14 and the second circuit board 24.
Therefore, larger vibration and noise are avoided to reduce the
damages of the series-connected motor unit and to prolong the
service life of the series-connected motor unit.
[0031] Moreover, since the first circuit board 14 and the second
circuit board 24 have uneven surfaces due to electronic components
or soldering points arranged thereon, the separation member 3 may
be made of resilient material. As such, when the first face 31 and
second face 32 of the separation member 3 respectively abut against
the first circuit board 14 and the second circuit board 24, the
first face 31 and second face 32 of the separation member 3 may be
able to deform in any way to conform to the uneven surfaces of the
first circuit board 14 and the second circuit board 24. Thus, close
contacts between the separation member 3 and the first circuit
board 14, and between the separation member 3 and the second
circuit board 24, are provided. This achieves better isolation and
vibration-proof effects for the series-connected motor unit.
Moreover, based on the resilience of the separation member 3, the
separation member 3 may apply a moderate abutting pressure to the
first circuit board 14 and the second circuit board 24. This not
only avoids gaps from forming between the separation member 3 and
the first circuit board 14, and between the separation member 3 and
the second circuit board 24, but also prevents the separation
member 3 from over-abutting the first circuit board 14 and the
second circuit board 24.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a series-connected motor unit
including a first motor 1, a second motor 2 and a separation member
4 is shown according to a second embodiment of the invention. The
first motor 1 and second motor 2 in the second embodiment are
completely identical to those of the first embodiment, so they are
not described herein again. The separation member 4 in the second
embodiment is a non-solid gel 4' filled between the first circuit
board 14 and second circuit board 24. The non-solid gel 4' may be a
rubber, a Styrofoam, an acrylic resin, a silica gel or other silica
gel compounded materials. In addition, the non-solid gel 4' will
become the separation member 4 after solidification. The non-solid
gel 4' is filled in the first compartment 111 of the first motor 1
or the second compartment 211 of the second motor 2. In this
embodiment, the non-solid gel 4' is filled in the first compartment
111 of the first motor 1 for illustration purposes. In this case,
the face of the first circuit board 14 that faces the first
assembling opening 113 is completely covered with the non-solid gel
4'. Then, the non-solid gel 4' will also attach to the face of the
second circuit board 24 that faces the second assembling opening
213 when the first motor 1 and the second motor 2 are assembled
together. As such, the non-solid gel 4' will become the separation
member 4 between the first circuit board 14 and second circuit
board 24 after the non-solid gel 4' solidifies. Thus, the
separation member 4 will also form a first face 41 and a second
face 42 opposite to the first face 41, with the first face 41
abutting against the first circuit board 14 and the second face 42
abutting against the second circuit board 24.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 7, the series-connected motor unit may be
combined with two frames 5 and two rotation members 6 to form a fan
having series-connected motors. Each frame 5 includes an airway 51.
The first motor 1 and second motor 2 are disposed in the airways 51
of the two frames 5, respectively. A plurality of ribs is
preferably used to connect the first coupling portion 114 to an
inner circumferential wall of one frame 5, and to connect the
second coupling portion 214 to an inner circumferential wall of the
other frame 5. The two rotation members 6 are coupled to the shafts
131 and 231, respectively. Each rotation member 6 has a plurality
of vanes 61 on an outer circumferential face thereof. Based on
this, when the first motor 1 drives one rotation member 6 to
rotate, the vanes 61 can draw the external air to pass through the
fan via two sides of the airway 51. Similarly, when the second
motor 2 drives the other rotation member 6 to rotate, the vanes 61
can draw the external air to pass through the fan via two sides of
the other airway 51.
[0034] When the two frames 5 are assembled in series, the
separation member 4 is disposed between the first circuit board 14
and second circuit board 24 to block and relieve the motor
vibration that travels between the first circuit board 14 and
second circuit board 24.
[0035] As described above, based on the facts that the first faces
31, 41 and second faces 32, 42 of the separation members 3, 4 have
larger contact areas with the first circuit board 14 and second
circuit board 24, as well as that the separation members 3, 4 are
made of resilient insulation material, the separation members 3, 4
not only can separate the first circuit board 14 from the second
circuit board 24 to prevent undesired electrical connection
therebetween, but also can block and relieve the motor vibration
that travels between the first circuit board 14 and the second
circuit board 24. Therefore, damages of the series-connected motor
unit are reduced and longer service life of the series-connected
motor unit is attained.
[0036] The separation members 3, 4 of the invention are able to
deform in a flexible way to conform to the uneven surfaces of the
first circuit board 14 and the second circuit board 24. This not
only enhances the contacts between the separation members 3, 4 and
the first circuit board 14, and between the separation members 3, 4
and the second circuit board 24, but also applies a moderate
abutting pressure to the first circuit board 14 and the second
circuit board 24. As such, gaps between the separation members 3, 4
and the first circuit board 14, and between the separation members
3, 4 and the second circuit board 24, are avoided. Also, the
separation members 3, 4 are prevented from over-abutting the first
circuit board 14 and the second circuit board 24. Moreover, the
separation members 3, 4 do not require high sophistication during
manufacturing, which makes the manufacturing process easier.
[0037] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to its presently preferable embodiment, it will be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the
scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *